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Firefighters worried more buildings could collapse after Massachusetts fire

Only minor injuries reported in 10-alarm blaze

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Updated: 3:10 PM CST Dec 4, 2016

Firefighters worried more buildings could collapse after Massachusetts fire

Only minor injuries reported in 10-alarm blaze

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Updated: 3:10 PM CST Dec 4, 2016

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WEBVTT
LASTING SIX HOURS,
DAMAGING OR DESTROYING 11
-- 15 BUILDINGS.
ONE MAN SAID HE SAW THE FLAMES
AND RUSHED TO HELP.
>> WE JUST STARTED KNOCKING ON
PEOPLE'S DOORS.
A LADY WAS ALREADY GETTING READY
TO GET OUT.
THE WINDOWS WERE STARTING TO POP
AND CRACK.
SO WE GOT HER DAUGHTER AND HER
DOG.
WE GOT HER OUT.
SHAUN: AGAIN, FIRE CREWS SAYING
THERE ARE NOW A TOTAL OF 15
HOMES DAMAGED HERE.
SOME OF THE BUILDINGS THAT ARE
STILL INTACT, THEY HAVE SOME
CONCERNS THAT THEY MIGHT
COLLAPSE.
TAKE A LISTEN TO WHAT FIRE
OFFICIALS JUST TOLD US.
>> WE HAVE A CONCERN WITH A
NUMBER OF THE BUILDINGS
POTENTIALLY COLLAPSING, BUT WE
HAVEN'T DETERMINED WHICH ONES AT
THIS POINT.
SO WE JUST ESTABLISHED OUR SAFE
ZONE, AND WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE
OF HOURS, WE'LL BEGIN THAT
INVESTIGATION.
SHAUN: NOW, VICTIMS SPENT THE
NIGHT AT A LOCAL SHERLT.
ABOUT FIVE OR SIX PEOPLE DID
HAVE SOME INJURIES.
NOBODY WAS SERIOUSLY HURT.
THE CITY HAS SET UP A RELIEF
FUND FOR THOSE VICTIMS.
IF YOU'D LIKE THAT INFORMATION,

Firefighters worried more buildings could collapse after Massachusetts fire

Only minor injuries reported in 10-alarm blaze

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Updated: 3:10 PM CST Dec 4, 2016

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. —

Firefighters worked into the night to battle a devastating fire that jumped from building to building in Cambridge, Mass.

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Fire officials eventually struck 10 alarms for the fire that started around 2 p.m. 140 firefighters from 17 area communities responded to the scene.

Officials said Sunday up to 15 buildings were damaged, some catastrophically, including one that collapsed. Firefighters said there is concern that a number of those buildings could also collapse.

Miraculously, there were only five or six minor injuries reported.

Officials believe the fire started in a building that was under construction. That structure collapsed in the blaze.

Several cars were also engulfed by the wind-driven flames as they jumped across the street.

"This looked like a ball of fire across the street," said Cambridge Fire Chief Gerald Reardon. "It looked like something you could see in a war zone."

The State Fire Marshal's Office said most of the buildings affected are three-story homes. One is a former church building that was converted into affordable housing. Power has been shut off in the neighborhood for hundreds of customers, and officials said it may remain out for a good portion of the night.

A man who lived two houses down from where the fire started said he saw flickering coming through his windows and saw some smoke.

"Within a minute, the house was engulfed in flames," Rodrigo Garcia said. "It was the fastest fire I've ever seen."

"The fact that it happened in daylight, people were up and around and conscious and not sleeping at night was obviously something in our favor," Reardon said.

WCVB's Shaun Chaiyabhat was at the scene moments after the flames began. His photo shows the apartment building's sign, with burning debris in the background.

The Red Cross said an estimated 60 people evacuated the area and they have opened a warming center at the War Memorial Recreation Center, at 1640 Cambridge St.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh offered his condolences to those affected by the blaze.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the fire in Cambridge," Walsh tweeted. "(Thank you) to all the courageous first responders who kept everyone safe."

There is no word on what caused the fire. Police and fire officials are asking everyone to avoid the area. Anyone who wants to help those who were affected can donate to a fund established by Mayor Denise Simmons